Programme Specification
and Curriculum Map for
BA Creative Writing and
English Literature
1. Programme title
2. Awarding institution
3. Teaching institution
4. Programme accredited by
5. Final qualification
6. Academic year
7. Language of study
8. Mode of study
BA Creative Writing and English
Literature
Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University
BA Creative Writing and English
Literature
2012/3
English
Full and Part Time
9. Criteria for admission to the programme
Normally 2 A levels at grade C or above or equivalent, or 220 tariff points.
Grade B or above GCSE English or equivalent. Applications from mature
students with non-standard qualifications are welcomed. IELTS overall
score of 6 with a score of 6 in each component (reading, writing, listening).
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
provide supportive critical and creative space for the student to develop
his/her own
personal talents and goals as a critically reflective writer;
enable students to explore the craft of professional writing for a range of
markets and genres;
develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of English literature,
and of the relationship between creative writing and literary understanding;
specifically to:
 develop students’ knowledge of the range of periods of English
literature, its genres, and the critical traditions in which it has been read
and interpreted;
 develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the cultural contexts,
and theoretical dimensions of the subject, and support the deployment
of ideas in the reading of texts;
 develop students’ intellectual skills, especially those of analysis,
synthesis and evaluation, and the forming of cogent arguments;
develop graduate skills including self-motivation, self-reliance, cooperation,
time management, information retrieval and management, effective
communication, use of IT in general and in relation to the subjects of study
in particular.
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and
understanding
On completion of this programme
the successful student will have
knowledge and understanding of :
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and
understanding through lectures,
seminars, tutorials and independent
study; preparatory reading indicated
1. the writing process
2. his/her self development as a
creative writer
3. relevant classic and
contemporary texts and writing
styles
4. Linguistic, literary, cultural and
socio-historical contexts in which
literature is written and read
5. The role of literary criticism in
shaping literary interpretation and
value
6. The distinctive nature of texts
written in the principal literary
genres
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
On completion of this programme
the successful student will be able
to:
1. analyse texts structurally and
stylistically, developing skills of
close reading and analysis
2. give and receive critical
feedback, developing independent
judgement
3. evaluate, re-draft and edit their
own work
4. conceive, plan and develop a
structured piece of written work
5. Articulate knowledge and
understanding of texts, concepts
and theories relating to English
studies at an abstract level
6. Understand, interrogate and
apply a variety of theoretical
positions and weigh the importance
of alternative perspectives.
D. Graduate Skills
On completion of this programme
the successful student will be able
to:
1. further their own personal and
career development
by tutors; writing exercises, reading,
listening, discussing, analysing, redoing within self-directed learning,
tutor and peer feedback, tutorials,
tutor-led workshops, project work,
guest and staff lectures, peer-group
learning and team work.
Assessment Method
Students’ knowledge and
understanding is assessed by
portfolios of creative writing, normally
including a final creative piece and a
critical statement which makes
reference to relevant texts and
practice; coursework essays, unseen
and seen examinations, project-work.
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn cognitive skills through
individual practice, tutorials, tutor-led
workshops, reading, discussion, group
work and contact with practising
writers; reading and discussion of key
issues raised; practice in applying
concepts and analysis, both orally and
in writing.
Assessment Method
Students’ cognitive skills are
assessed by:
original creative work and a critical
statement examining process and
context, including drafts and
bibliography; essays which will be
evaluated with regard to the
coherence of the topic treated; the
appropriateness of the approach
adopted; evidence of critical and
independent discussion; also seminar
discussions and tutorials, where
attention will be given to analytical
skills, and which will provide feedback
on progress.
Teaching/learning methods
Students acquire graduate skills
through the tutor led workshops,
feedback, self-directed learning and
group work which leads up to
assessed coursework; seminars,
tutorials, independent study; lecturing
staff encourage students to develop a
2. take responsibility for effective
learning,
3. communicate effectively, orally
and in writing
4. work as a member of a team
5. use relevant Information
Technology and be numerate, as
appropriate to field of study
6. generate imaginative ideas and
see them through to fruition.
reflexive awareness of their needs as
learners.
Assessment method
Students’ graduate skills are
assessed by creative projects and oral
presentations; coursework essays,
project work, practice-based material;
seminar attendance, in-session and
written feedback.
12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression
requirements)
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
The programme is normally studied over three years full-time or completed
within six years part time. The honours degree requires 360 credits at Level
1 and above, of which 250 credits are at Level 2 or above and 120 credits at
Level 3. Details below are for a full-time student.
BA Creative Writing and Journalism Studies is structured as follows:
Year One – all compulsory
1) CMW1001 Introduction to Writing A: Fiction and Poetry (30 credits)
2) CMW1002 Introduction to Writing B: Drama and Non-Fiction (30
credits)
3) JCM1000 Introduction to Journalism (30 credits)
4) MCS1000 Issues in Media, Politics and Culture (30 credits)
Year Two
(1) and (2) CHOICE AT LEAST ONE OF
CMW 2002 Exploring Writing B: Fiction (30 credits)
OR
MDA2100 Screenwriting – The Short Film (30 credits)
OR (IF ANY CHOICES LEFT)
PLM3002 Writing the City (30 credits)
OR
CMW 3009 Poetry and Lyrics (30 credits)
OR
CMW3006 Writing and Publishing Genre (30 credits)
3) JCM2000 Core Issues in Journalism and Communication (30
credits)
4) CHOICE OF:
JCM2100 Critical Feature-Writing and Editing (30 credits)
OR
JCM2200 International Journalisms and Global News Media (30
credits)
OR
PLM2002 Writing and Publishing Online and Electronic Media (30
credits)
Year Three
1) CMW3002 Independent Project (Single Weight) (30 credits) –
compulsory
2) CHOICE OF:
CMW 3003 Writing in Practice 2 [work placement module] (30 credits)
OR
CMW3006 Writing and Publishing Genre (30 credits)
OR
PLM3002 Writing the City (30 credits)
OR
CMW 3009 Poetry and Lyrics (30 credits)
(3) AND (4) TWO OF THE FOLLOWING:
JCM3100 Photojournalism and Visual Culture (30 credits)
OR
JCM3200 Media, Events, Ethics (30 credits) (not running 09/10 –
available 10/11)
OR
PLM3002 Writing the City (30 credits)
OR
JCM3001 Campaign Journalism and Critical Writing (30 credits)
12.2 Levels and modules
Starting in academic year 2010/11 the University is changing the way it
references modules to state the level of study in which these are
delivered. This is to comply with the national Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications. This implementation will be a gradual
process whilst records are updated. Therefore the old coding is
bracketed below.
Level 4 (1)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all
of the following:
Completion of 120
CMW1001
credits
CMW1002
ELS1301
ELS1302
Level 5 (2)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all
of the following:
Students must also
choose at least ONE
from the following:
ELS2303
ELS2301
CMW2001
MDA2100
If any options remain,
one of:
PLM3002
CMW3009
Completion of 240
credits
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Level 6 (3)
COMPULSORY
Students must take all
of the following:
Students must also
choose ONE of the
following:
CMW3002
ELS3304
CMW3003
CMW3006
PLM3002*
CMW3009*
[*if not taken at L2]
And ONE of the
following:
ELS3301
ELS3302
ELS3303
Completion of 360
credits
12.3 Non-compensatable modules (note statement in 12.2 regarding
FHEQ levels)
Module level
Module code
Level 1
ELS 1301
Level 2
Level 3
CMW 3002, ELS3304
13. A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules
See Curriculum Map attached
14. Information about assessment regulations
Middlesex University Regulations at http://www.mdx.ac.uk/regulations
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable)
CMW3003 Writing in Practice 2, taken in Level 3, includes the option of
work experience. Supported by the Placement Office.
16. Future careers (if applicable)
CMW has strong links with the employment market. The qualification is
valued both as a general humanities degree and as a specialist writing
degree. Recent Writing graduates are now working in newspapers,
magazines, television production, children's publishing, adult publishing,
writing therapy, P.R., theatre, libraries, advertising and teaching. Other
graduates have gone on to launch their own freelance careers as writers or
to take postgraduate courses which further develop their writing.
English is recognised as a premier degree providing an excellent basis for
careers in media, journalism, administration and management, public
services. Its knowledge content can be used directly in careers in primary,
secondary and tertiary education, publishing and media, as well as in
postgraduate study and research.
17. Particular support for learning (if applicable)
Staff teaching on the programme are published literary critics and scholars,
novelists, short story writers, poets, scriptwriters and journalists and are
research-active in the areas of literary studies and the pedagogy of creative
writing.
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
WP 83; Q300 T BA/English
Draft English benchmark;
20. Reference points
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
Middlesex University Regulations http://www.mdx.ac.uk/regulations/
QAA level descriptors and benchmark statements
QAA framework for HE qualifications
University and School mission and value statements
Student, Staff, External Examiners’ and Graduates’ feedback and comments
Middlesex University Learning and Teaching Policy and Strategy; the
Corporate Plan.
Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main
features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might
reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can
be found in the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.